Open source slot die

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L.Y. Beeker, Adam M. Pringle, and Joshua M. Pearce are the authors of a groundbreaking study on an open-source parametric 3-D printed slot die system for thin film semiconductor processing. Their research was published in Additive Manufacturing 20 (2018) 90-100. The full text is available online at https://www.academia.edu/35667969/Open-sourceParametric3-DPrintedSlotDieSystemforThinFilmSemiconductor_Processing. The study utilizes open-source tools such as Franklin firmware, OpenSCAD, and an open-source syringe pump to create a functional slot die coating system. The Prusa conversion process is also employed, following the same procedure used for the Open-source Wax RepRap 3-D Printer for Rapid Prototyping Paper-Based Microfluidics. Slot die coating is gaining popularity due to its low operational cost and scalability, allowing for rapid deposition of thin and uniform films with minimal material waste. However, conventional slot dies often require expensive machining, limiting accessibility and experimentation. To overcome these challenges, the authors adopt an open hardware approach using a 3-D printer to fabricate both the slot die and the printing system. The study demonstrates that lab-grade slot dies can be 3-D printed using low-cost open-source hardware methods. A case study using NiO2 achieved remarkable results, including an RMS value of 0.486 nm, thickness of 17-49 nm, and a maximum optical transmission of 99.1%. This approach offers significant cost savings, with a reduction of over 17,000% compared to commercial slot die systems. The full design of the slot die system is disclosed using an open-source license, including software and operational protocols. The study is available online at http://www.appropedia.org/Open-sourceParametric3-DPrintedSlotDieSystemforThinFilmSemiconductor_Processing.